Shloka 7
अध्याय ८८ — घटोत्कच-दुर्योधनयुद्धवर्णनम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Duryodhana Engagement
षष्ट्या शरै: संयति तैलधौतै- जघान तानप्यथ पृष्ठगोपान् । रथांक्ष॒ तांस्तानवजित्य संख्ये धनंजय: प्रीतमना यशस्वी
ṣaṣṭyā śaraiḥ saṃyati tailadhautaiḥ jaghāna tān apy atha pṛṣṭhagopān | rathāṃkṣaṃ tāṃs tān avajitya saṅkhye dhanaṃjayaḥ prītamanā yaśasvī ||
Sañjaya said: In the press of battle, Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna) struck them down with sixty arrows, their shafts polished with oil. Then he also overcame those who were guarding the rear; and, having defeated each of them in the fight, the glorious Arjuna became glad at heart—his success adding to his renown amid the demands and moral weight of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in action: disciplined skill and resolve in battle, where success brings fame, yet occurs within the grave ethical context of warfare—victory is not mere aggression but a duty-bound contest governed by martial codes.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, using sixty well-prepared arrows, strikes down opponents and then defeats the rear-guard as well, overcoming them one by one in chariot-combat; Arjuna becomes pleased, his reputation enhanced by these battlefield successes.